This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:00 Meet @ Kyoto Station Shinkansen Central Gate
- 9:15-9:45 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
- 10:35-11:45 @ Higashiyama area & Gion
- 12:10-12:55 @ Nijo Castle
- 13:35-14:30 @ Tenryu-ji Temple
- 14:30-15:00 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 15:00 Disband @ Nagatsuji Street
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at @ Kyoto Station Shinkansen Central Gate and ended at 15:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine at 9:15, Higashiyama area & Gion at 10:35, Nijo Castle at 12:10, Tenryu-ji Temple at 13:35 and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at 14:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyoto to Inari by train (150JPY); Inari to Tofukuji by train (150JPY); Tofukuji by bus (230JPY); Gion by bus (230JPY); Nijojo-mae to Uzumasa Tenjingawa by subway (260JPY); Randen Tenjingawa to Arashiyama (Keifuku Line) by train (250JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,270JPY per person.
What's a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America who had come to Japan to attend a conference, and their visit to Kyoto was a day trip from Tokyo. Following prior discussion, the meeting point was changed to the central Shinkansen exit of Kyoto Station.
Fushimi Inari Taisha was not very crowded, and the guests were pleased. During the walk around the Higashiyama area, they stopped at a perfume shop and a hair ornament shop and bought some souvenirs. Due to time constraints, the explanation of the geisha district in Gion was given roughly while walking.
One of the guests was interested in shoguns and samurai and asked many questions at Nijo Castle.
After arriving in Arashiyama by the Randen tram, they bought and enjoyed mitarashi dango from a stall. At Tenryu-ji, the trees in the Sogenchi Garden had begun to turn autumn colors and were beautiful.
At the guests' request, we parted ways on Nagatsuji Street in Arashiyama.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kyoto～Inari | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Inari～Tofukuji | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Tofukuji / Kyoto City Bus～Kiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Gion / Kyoto City Bus～Nijojo-mae | 230JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Nijojo-mae～Uzumasa Tenjingawa | 260JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Randen Tenjingawa～Arashiyama (Keifuku Line) | 250JPY |
| Total | 1,270JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Kyoto Station Shinkansen Central Gate at 9:00, and the tour finished at @ Nagatsuji Street at 15:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 9:00 to 15:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Higashiyama area & Gion, Nijo Castle, Tenryu-ji Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,270JPY per person across 6 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Kaz is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kyoto itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.